Bond dissociation energy in trifluoride ion

The bond dissociation energies in F-3(-) are determined from energy-resolve d collision-induced dissociation cross sections measurements in two tandem mass spectrometers. The gas-phase F-2-F- bond dissociation energy is measur ed to be 1.02 +/- 0.11 eV, and the energy for dissociation to F + F-2(-) is 0.28 +/- 0.07 eV higher. After accounting for solvation energies, it is sh own that the F-3(-) is not expected to be stable with respect to dissociati on in aqueous solution. Last, from the spectroscopic parameters, it is dedu ced that F-2(-) formation is favored at high energies, in agreement with ex perimental results.